An Osceola County school resource deputy has been relieved of duty after St. Cloud police say he attacked a woman who'd been trying to break off a relationship with him.

At 9 p.m. Tuesday, police say 45-year-old Rafael Sanchez showed up unannounced at the woman's home in the Espirit subdivision. He was still in uniform from an off-duty job.

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The accuser says she and Sanchez got into a verbal altercation, and he accused her of "playing games."

According to the police report, Sanchez "grabbed (her) by (her) face and choked her with his hands." The woman told investigators "she could not breathe and immediately became in fear for her safety."

She managed to break away from Sanchez, then "began crying and begged him to leave." He's also accused of snatching her iPhone and throwing it into a retention pond behind her home.

When interviewed by St. Cloud police, Sanchez allegedly admitted going over to the woman's home unannounced but denied putting his hands on her or taking her phone. He did not immediately return our phone message seeking comment.

The investigating officer said she noticed "visible marks" on the woman's neck, photographed them and entered them in to evidence.

Sanchez was booked on felony charges of battery and grand theft. He's also facing a misdemeanor stalking charge.

An Osceola County spokeswoman said in an email to WESH-2, "Our agency has removed him from duty pending St. Cloud Police Department's criminal investigation and an internal investigation we are conducting."

His personnel file showed Sanchez received positive reviews as an Osceola County school resource officer. Prior to being hired by the sheriff's office in 2014, he spent many years with the Kissimmee Police Department. A spokeswoman there had no comment.